Two teenagers crashed a vehicle into a house on West Cliff Drive while fleeing from Santa Cruz police officers Wednesday morning.

A house on West Cliff Drive near John Street was damaged. The teens bolted from the wrecked vehicle on foot, and police set up a perimeter to block off escape routes.

Advertisement

The manhunt ended when police found and arrested two boys. Police said the 16-year-old and 17-year-old live in the East Bay. One suspect slipped away and is still at large.

Police believe the teenagers were part of a group that went on an early Wednesday morning crime spree in Santa Cruz. Multiple armed robberies and attempted carjackings unfolded within five hours.

The first armed robbery happened at 2:22 a.m. on the corner of Laurel Street and Myrtle Street. A man and two women were walking home when they were confronted by gun-wielding robbers.

A second armed robbery occurred 20 minutes later on Mission Street near Palm Street, where a victim was robbed at gunpoint and attacked by three people.

"The victims in both cases described the suspects as Hispanic males dressed in dark clothes. The suspects were seen driving away in a dark sedan," police said.

An attempted carjacking happened at 7 a.m. on the 200 block of Sacramento Street. The victim fought off the would-be car thieves, and they fled, police said.

Police found a gun on Mission and Bay Street.

Later that morning, officers spotted the suspects' vehicle and the chase ensued on the west side. After the wreck on West Cliff Drive, officers searched the vehicle, and found "numerous stolen items belonging to the victims," police said.